A Hound for Trouble

While I've seen this cartoon before, it was a treat to watch this again on the On Moonlight Bay DVD just now. Charlie Dog lands in Italy to once again try to get a master. He eventually winds up at a restaurant. If you're familiar with this dog's personality, then you'll probably guess what happens here. Anyway, this was quite funny from beginning to end so that's a recommendation for A Hound for Trouble.

Never thought this cartoon was funny! Since the first time I ever saw this one as a kid, I thought it was out and out mean! I don't remember the character from other cartoons, so I'm not too familiar with him. I don't see anything funny about cruelty. Don't get me wrong; I love comedy, but I fail to see this one as funny. I just don't see how the ending makes for humor. I never have. I've always loved Looney Tunes, but this one I have always hated. The rest of this one isn't so bad, but the ending ruined it for me. I don't want to seem stuffy, but a cartoon that is meant to be funny, should not end on such a cruel note. It serves to give the impression that it is fine to treat others badly, and even laugh at it.

This was very funny. I love him holding the attention of those on the sidewalk in his cartoons and later holding up the leaning tower of Piza in this short. I hope WB includes more of these cartoons from the late 40's through the 50's which are among their funniest thanks in a huge part to Michaels Maltese's stories, Chuck's timing and Mel's characterizations. Maybe I am biased as I grew up on Maltese-cartoons being 43 years old, but I find that his sense of humour far surpasses the novelty and slapstick style of early cartoons. I hope that volume 5 of the Looney Tunes Golden Collection will contain some more of obscure characters. This is not to say that Bugs and Daffy should take a back seat to them, I just think the tunes from the early days have been well represented in the first 4 volumes and it is time to lets enjoy the wit, timing and voice of three legends from the 40's and 50's.

Yes, this is definitely the best of the Charlie Dog cartoons.

First off, by today's standards, this cartoon is very politically incorrect. But, who cares? It's funny! There are always little throwaway touches that make Warner Bros. cartoons worth watching over and over - the sign in the restaurant window says "Televish inside", the scene with the fishermen is actually a copy of a Van Gogh painting (!), etc.

Of course, the pizzeria owner speaks in "Italian" that is really just the names of different foods, and then there is Charlie's song: as I said, quite politically incorrect, but just look at the expressions on his face. Chuck Jones was a Master.

Strangely enough, for years the local TV station in NYC that showed this cartoon would remove the entire scene with Charlie Dog and the customer. Thankfully, I was able to finally get an uncut copy.

And yes, the ending is a classic. This one is a definite must-see.

Love animation, it was a big part of my life as a child, particularly Disney, Looney Tunes, Hanna and Barbera and Tom and Jerry, and still love it whether it's film, television or cartoons. Actually appreciate it even more now through young adult eyes, thanks to broader knowledge and more interest in animation styles and various studios and directors.

Chuck Jones deserved, and still does deserve, his status as one of animation's most legendary, greatest and most important directors/animators. He may have lacked the outrageousness and wild wackiness of Bob Clampett and Tex Avery, but the visual imagination, wit and what he did with some of the best-known and most iconic characters ever were just as special. All of his Charlie Dog cartoons are well worth watching and more. 'Dog Gone South' and especially 'A Hound for Trouble' are especially wonderful.

'A Hound for Trouble' is once again a perfect demonstration of Charlie being a charismatic and funny character (who in his outings with Porky always stole the show from under him) and begs the question of why his stint as a character was so short-lived.

He is brilliantly supported by the supporting characters. Mel Blanc as always does a fantastic job with the voice work, showing an unparalleled ability to bring individuality to multiple characters.

The animation is as always bright and colourful, with lots of smooth movement, imaginative detail in the gags and rich and meticulous detail in the backgrounds. Carl Stalling's music score is as ever high in energy, liveliness, character, lushness and whimsy, and not only is dynamic and fits effortlessly with the action but enhances everything.

What's more, 'A Hound for Trouble' is enormously entertaining, with the typical wild looniness, razor-sharp wit and sardonic bite constantly shining in the dialogue. Plus there are some beautifully timed and animated and imaginative sight gags, that contain enough surprises and a non-stop lively pace. The highlight is the hilarious ending.

In conclusion, brilliant. 10/10 Bethany Cox